WE'RE SADDENED TO ANNOUNCE THE DEATH OF CLUB LEGEND, DAVE GREEN

This week, Malvern RFC sadly lost Dave Green, (fondly known as Greener) after he collapsed in Detour Cycles in Malvern. Despite the brave attempts of shop owner and later paramedics, they were unable to save Dave, such dreadful news for his partner, Niki, family and two loving sons William and Tom.

Greener was a well known character around the rugby circuit, a player who started his career at Spring Lane in the 1970's and incredibly still played the odd game in his 60's. Greener was a fast thinking, gobby scrum half with a turn of pace to leave back rows flat footed, he could win games with his pace, he was so competitive, it had to be a win for Green, nothing else mattered. Greener surprisingly also had an amazing natural ability to wind both referee's and rugby opposition in to a frenzy.

In the early days of the Templer Trophy he had a reputation as a try scoring machine, fleet footed, he also enjoyed throwing the first punch only to slip away for protection behind the his burly Spring Lane forwards, the likes of Pocock, Ridley, Morewood, Flanagan's, Ferguson, Copper, Handy, Wolfe, Allies, Snaky, Fleming and Campion would dig him out of trouble. Jon Wilesmith, LRFC, recalls a game played in 1988, Malvern v Ledbury. The game ending in a draw 10-10, what stuck in his memory the most was a feisty scrum half who annoyed the Ledbury team throughout, but afterwards in the bar, Greener was only ever remembered for his chat, friendship, stories and his great sense of humour. This is something that Greener would never lose.

In the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s, Malvern RFC were great tourists, trips to the Bahamas or Canada with Ern’s Premium Rugby Touring operator DIR were regular. According to so many players, Greener was a fantastic tourist, after one eventful tour to Vancouver, everyone was tired and grateful to be coming home, but during that return flight home Greener carried on in the spirit of the game, drinking and singing with Vince Ferguson. Too much beer maybe, as upon arrival in the UK he was wheeled off the plane on a baggage truck. Always full of fun and mischief, squeeing everything out of his tour and life, a common trend.

Greener went on to achieved County honours where he represented Hereford and Worcester, his playing span of nearly 50 years for Malvern RFC, must see Dave Green as the most capped player in Malvern’s history.

After retiring from Rugby, Greener took his fitness to an another level, age was no barrier to Dave. He would proudly turn up at the the club on his bike, dressed in his lycra wearing a dodgey looking gym vest showing off his new biceps for Beechie and Fahey to examine. Dave also took up triathlons, and although Greener was not a natural swimmer, often described as an angry wasp swimming at The Splash, his absolute determination saw him master this discipline, allowing him to compete in triathlons and running events across Europe and the UK.

Dave was a very success businessman, where he and his good friend Graham Chatterton built up Envex Contractors Ltd, a multi disciplinary supplier of construction in the building, civil engineering and utilities sector. Both Graham and Greener and Graham used this business to supported the local community in a number of ways, but they kept this to themselves. For example, in the early days of Evie Richards cycling career they supported her, this type of support and generosity stayed under the radar, Greener fondly followed Evie’s media and success and he was so proud to be told by the family of that Evie had been selected to compete in the Olympics in Tokyo.

Recently Greener enjoyed Cornwall life and continued on his incredible fitness campaign, in the mad month of rainy March 2024, he cycled from Lands End to John O’Groats.

Finally, Greener's greatest rugby achievement, the one that he was so rightly proud of, was playing for Malvern RFC 1st XV at Twickenham on 7th May 1994. It is almost 30 years to the day, a cup run that ended in dreams coming true for Dave and the club. Despite carrying a hamstring injury and the eldest back on the pitch, Greener was determined to see out the incredible Malvern Pilkington Cup Run with a win on the hallowed turf.

Like so many of that team, he recalls the crazy cup run, bus loads of loyal supporters cheering the boys on and finally that victory over Old Hamptonians, a sweet highlight in a most successful rugby career at Spring Lane. It was more than the win that Greener remembered, it was the support and club vision after the Twickenham success to create a Youth and Junior section and their desire to build a new club house, again something that Dave was passionate about and heavily involved.

This leaves the club saying thank you to such a character both on and off the pitch. Greener’s stories and his memory will fondly live on at MRFC. Fittingly, we will raise our glasses to him at the 30 year Twickenham reunion on the Presidents Day 11th May 2024.

Bless you Greener, now rest in peace matey.

Spanker.